Ronaldo enjoys derby day

Ronaldo insists he enjoyed the Milan derby despite the defeat to Inter and showed respect to his old teammates.

“I felt some wonderful sensations today, as it’s always enjoyable to play in a derby like this,” said Il Fenomeno after the 2-1 loss.

“We lost against a great team today that deservedly is far out in front in the Serie A table. They are almost unbeatable.”

Ronaldo had been afforded a noisy welcome by the Nerazzurri fans, who bought 30,000 whistles for the season ticket holders to heckle him every time he touched the ball.

There was also a selection of insulting banners, such as ‘Ronaldo Iscariot’ and a reference to the Valencia player who broke Nicolas Burdisso’s nose with a punch: ‘Ronaldo like Navarro, evil.’

Others stated ‘Better one day like Recoba than 100 as Ronaldo’, ‘You left as a rabbit and returned like a pig’ or ‘Watch out for your knee…’

Despite that atmosphere in the San Siro, he had opened the scoring for Milan with a well-taken left-foot strike.

“We played an excellent first half in which we dominated the match,” insisted the Brazilian. “My teammates were fantastic today. It was a very tough game.”

In his goal celebrations, Ronaldo lifted his hands to his ears, inviting yet more of those whistles.

“I didn’t want to say anything in particular after the goal. I was just happy for myself and my team.”

With Inter President Massimo Moratti in the stands, a man he had called ‘like a father’ when he was at the club, there was a message for his old friends.

“I hope that he and all those in the stadium enjoyed themselves, because it was a great game.”

He had not netted at San Siro since Inter’s 3-1 win over Piacenza on April 28, 2002. This was his third goal since joining Milan.

RONIE STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

Three goals, plus plenty of action and work both on and off the field, the last forty days have been filled with pure Ronaldo magic

MILAN – Ronaldo is a strong Rossoneri resource. The Brazilian talent has never failed to please since his arrival in Milan. Fans rejoiced in the first half of the derby, not just because Milan were in the lead but also because they were celebrating Ronaldo's goal. Not only did he deserve to be in that moment but also for the satisfaction he must have felt within for changing the course of such an important game.

Ronie has conquered all thanks to his consistent efforts and hard work in training and on the field. He promised that by the end of January he would be available, he confided to his friends across the globe that he was totally enthusiastic about his move to Milan. That’s how it’s been and it’s been perfect just like it is. He does everything in his power to help the team and then returns to Milanello to ensure that he is in the right condition to make himself useful once again.

Since the start of Ronaldo’s Rossoneri adventure, Milan have almost always won and this is thanks in part to him as well. Here’s what Ronaldo has done so far with the Rossoneri:

MILAN-LIVORNO 2-1: Entered when the game was at 1-1. After Marek Jankulovski’s shot, he searched for the back of the net at least three times including a shot from outside the penalty box that grazed the post with Amelia left stranded.

SIENA-MILAN 3-4: Two goals and an assist. Phenomenal!

MILAN-SAMPDORIA 1-0: Helped the team during a difficult start, the only striker after Massimo Oddo was expelled from the field and Milan were left in ten. Not an easy match and, in addition, he took a hard hit at the end of the first half.

PALERMO-MILAN 0-0: He wasn't in top form after the hit to his knee three days earlier and because of this he doesn’t start. In the last twenty minutes he enters and, despite the rebound, brushes the woodwork with what could have been the victory goal.

MILAN-CHIEVO 3-1: A useful resource, he is full of energy for the entire game. He makes an attempt to score during the first half, sets up Massimo Oddo and later brushes the post.

INTER-MILAN 2-1: Scores his third Rossoneri goal and assists Rino Gattuso’s for what could have been the 2-0 derby goal. His goal is like a football fairy tale and even without the win, his goal will remain forever.

Ronaldinho and Ronaldo join European celebration match

Brussels - Brazilian football stars Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Juninho have been confirmed in a European team playing Tuesday in a match to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the European Union. "It is a positive sign that the EU selection is open to people who don't have European citizenship but are ... part of this European phenomenon," EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said Monday.

Having players from another continent on board the European team showed that "football is a globalized activity now."

The Brazilians will be in a European All-Star XI, led by Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, playing Manchester United at Old Trafford to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and United's half-century in European competitions.

UEFA president Michel Platini, Barroso and Manchester United director Sir Bobby Charlton said the final line-up would include Barcelona's Ronaldinho, Ronaldo of Italy's AC Milan and Juninho Pernambucano, captain of French club Olympique Lyon.

Echoing Barroso's comments, Platini said that "in a continent so proud of its cultural diversity, football offers a common language, it helps to integrate different communities."

The UEFA chief also said that "football conveys some of Europe's basic values: the rule of law, respect for others, freedom of expression, teamwork and solidarity."

Ronaldinho, who became a naturalized Spanish citizen last month, will appear alongside his Barcelona teammates Carles Puyol, Lilian Thuram of France and Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta. Also in the European team are Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, Swedish striker Henrik Larsson, and German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

Sir Bobby Charlton said the history of Manchester United was tied up with Europe. "Some of the club's greatest moments have been played out on a European stage," he said.

All proceeds from the gala game will go to local community projects, the organizers said.

Platini, who was elected UEFA chief last month, also sought the EU's help in fighting football hooliganism and racism.

"We need to defend the specific nature of the sport," Platini said, referring to recent violent incidents at football games in Europe.

Calling for the creation of an international police force to deal with sports-related violence, Platini said last month that such a body could help tackle hooliganism, corruption and betting scandals and aid attempts to ban known offenders from stadiums.

Authorities in France, Germany, Spain and Italy were faced with football-related violence earlier this year.

LuNo Thank u

...

You're welcome Sandy

Thanks honeylove !!!!!!!!

Ronaldo and Zidane announce next Match Against Poverty

Football legends Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane are inviting some of the world’s top players to join them in an all-star line-up for the fourth “Match Against Poverty: Ronaldo and friends vs. Zidane and friends,” which takes place on 19 March 2007 at the Stade du Vélodrome in Marseille, France. As Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ronaldo and Zidane will each captain an international team for this friendly aimed at mobilising the public in the fight against poverty.

The AC Milan striker Ronaldo and former French captain Zidane have been the driving force behind the Match Against Poverty since 2003. “It has been really encouraging to see the response from the public and the media to the previous games. We really want to continue mobilising the world of football in helping to raise awareness and overcome poverty,” said Ronaldo. This will be the first game in Europe for Zidane since he retired from international football at the end of the 2006 World Cup. “I have retired from professional football, but I am determined to continue playing in my capacity as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for such a good cause, and to contribute to this annual gathering with my friend Ronaldo.”

The match will focus attention on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were re-affirmed by the leaders of 191 countries at the UN Summit in 2005. The Goals seek to halve world poverty by 2015 by setting targets for rolling back hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.

“It is a tremendous message when our Goodwill Ambassadors Ronaldo, Zidane and [Didier] Drogba say they are scoring goals - not just for the game - but against poverty,” said Ad Melkert, UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. “Through the Match Against Poverty, millions of fans witness their heroes in soccer become heroes in the fight against extreme poverty. This message is so important because only in partnership with governments, the private sector, civil society and individuals like Ronaldo, Zidane and Drogba will we be able to truly overcome poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”

"For everyone in Marseille, football is a means of social integration,” said Jean-Claude Gaudin, member of the French Senate and Mayor of Marseille. “On evenings when a match is being played, there are no social barriers inside the stadium. I am delighted that these big names—including a son of Marseille, Zinédine Zidane--are taking part in this benefit for those who have the least.”

Proceeds from the first three Matches have benefited anti-poverty projects ranging from support to female entrepreneurs to the construction of sports centres for street children and the disadvantaged in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Comoros, Cuba, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Morocco, Namibia, Sri Lanka, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Vietnam. Once again, all proceeds from ticket sales will go to projects selected by UNDP in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

As in previous editions football’s governing body, FIFA, supports the match, while sporting-goods manufacturers Nike and Adidas are contributing equipment for the teams. In partnership with UNDP, the match is being organized with the support of the City of Marseille, which is hosting the game at the Stade du Vélodrome, and the Olympique de Marseille, which is providing technical assistance.

Pape Diouf, president of the Olympique, said: ”The OM is proud to collaborate on the organisation of this match, which is in synergy with our social and humanitarian programme, OM Attitude. The Olympique de Marseille invites all its fans to help in the fight against poverty.”

For Ronaldo and Zidane, it’s a great opportunity to use their football stardom to raise awareness for a cause close to both their hearts. “We are very happy to have the opportunity to play this match in Marseille, a city known for its passion for football,” said Zidane. “We hope Marseille and all its fans, as well as fans around the world, will respond to our call.”

Thanks Luno & honeylove!

Father & son in Milan 2/23/2007

Thanks Aga & honeylove!

You're welcome Compassionate_Conservative

Thanks Aga & honeylove

LuNo Compassionate_Conservative Aga Thank you

aaaaaaas if he is dating Raica he looks like and oger had sex with a baboon.

You're welcome Sandy

Do not hotlink - ABB Cover

Match Against Poverty

Some of the players invited and that have confirmed they will be at the game:

Sergio Ramos, Señor Emerson, Costacurta, Serginho, Dida, Adriano, Ibrahimovic, Maicon.

There will be several coaches. The two Ronaldo has invited are Vicente Del Bosque and Ancelotti.

The teams, once again, will be divided between Adidas and Nike players.